C-reactive protein in the diagnosis, management, and prognosis of neonatal necrotizing enterocolitis.

Objective: In this prospective, observational study, we determined whether serum C-reactive protein (CRP) correlated with necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) stages II and III. We hypothesized that serial CRP measurement if used as an adjunct to abdominal radiographs would improve the identification of infants with NEC.

Methods: Serum CRP level was measured every 12 hours for 3 measurements and, when abnormal, once daily.